from manufacturer to technology company

General Motors has been one of the companies in the automotive section which has a history of success in various branches, but now seeks innovation to transform its commercial and business strategyhence Francisco Garza, CEO of the firm in Mexico, says in an interview that his new objective is to go from being an automotive company to a technology company.

There was an initiative within the organization called the time capsule, and its objective was to write down how we saw the company in the next 10 years. Those letters are saved and the goal is that within 10 years they will be opened and we will see how connected we were to the future vision. What I expressed in my letter is that I see General Motors remaining the most admired automotive company in Mexico in a constant process of evolution in its portfolio, where through an intelligent strategy we will take our portfolio of internal combustion vehicles to electric, where our manufacturing sites are going to be transformed.

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Today we have the example of Ramos Arizpe, where for many years we have produced the best internal combustion vehicles. Today it is undergoing a major transformation with an announced investment of more than one billion dollars, where starting in the first quarter of 2024 we will begin to produce electric vehicles. I think that gradually that will happen with the other sites.

Today we continue with the manufacturing of internal combustion vehicles in San Luis Potosí and Silao, but our sites are going to be transformed. I see distributors much more oriented towards technology, their stores fully aligned with tools that allow our customers to purchase products and services from their mobile. Just go to the distributor and take your units. I see an extremely relevant evolution,” says Garza.

ONSTAR, AN EXAMPLE

For Garza, Onstar, its connectivity, service and on-board internet service that has been operating for 10 years in Mexico and 25 years in the United States, is an important differentiator and proof of its evolution.

In a single technology come security issues, connectivity, telematics business solutions for fleets, and our clients are being helped in various situations. We protect their lives, their families. I have 2 daughters and I do not see them driving a vehicle that does not have all the services that OnStar represents, and today we are the only automotive company in Mexico that has this innovation in its vehicles. “The business is being transformed by technology.”

GM today has more than 250,000 customers using OnStar services, consuming more than 2,700 terabytes of information.. Internet consumption on board its units has grown 70% during 2023 and what the firm wants is to continue promoting these services through its four brands.

But in addition to what is inside, The company has also improved its processes with technology, such as automation and the use of robots in their plants.

It was in September 1935 when General Motors decided to come to our country and set up the first plant at Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca and the National Army in Mexico City. We produced nine vehicles per hour and today, 88 years later, we have four manufacturing sites located in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila; San Luis Potosí, Silao, Guanajuato and the State of Mexico. We are the first producer, the first exporter, the first employer in the industry with more than 23 thousand employees and we continue to grow.

We have an incredible pass in Mexico, more than 620 suppliers in Mexico, from whom last year alone we bought more than 28 billion dollars in parts and components, and we are very proud to have one of the most important engineering centers in Latin America, where we house more than 750 professionals, designing and validating parts and components for 28 plants around the world, specialized in eight subsystems. And well, this leads us to be today, without a doubt, the most admired automotive company in Mexico.”

RECORDS

Its technology division OnStar draws attention for the connectivity and internet services it provides on board for maintenance work. telematicsbut also to resolve the recovery of stolen units in record time.

We recovered them in a matter of minutes. The record we have is six minutes when returning a vehicle to the customer, this through the linking of our service center with the authorities on a national scale. We have a constant and very close approach with the authorities of the 32 entities of the Republic,” explains Garza.

STRONG PRESENCE

• The company has been operating in Mexico for 88 years
• 4 manufacturing factories located in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila; San Luis Potosí, Silao, Guanajuato; and the State of Mexico.
• +23 thousand employees and continues to grow in hiring.
• +620 suppliers in Mexico, from whom they purchased more than 28 billion dollars last year.
• 750 professionals, designing and validating parts and components for 28 plants around the world.

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